Kim Campbell Biography

The Right Honorable Kim Campbell became the first woman prime minister of Canada in 1993.

A native of British Columbia, Kim Campbell graduated with a degree in political science from the University of British Columbia (1969), then went to the London School of Economics and worked on a doctoral degree, returning to B.C. in 1973 to be a college lecturer. She entered law school and began her political career in 1980.

After a few years in local politics in Vancouver, Campbell was wooed by Canada’s Conservative Party to be a national candidate for a legislative seat in the election of 1988. She won and soon became a cabinet member under Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. Campbell became the first woman to serve as Minister of Justice and Attorney General (1990-93) and Minister of National Defence (1993), and when Mulroney retired in 1993 she had the clout to take over as the leader of Canada’s Conservative Party; in June she was officially appointed Prime Minister.

Four months later her party was trounced in national elections and Campbell was dismissed. She has since managed a career as a lecturer and board member of a variety of international organizations.